Frame Lake Trail

1-2 hoursFrame Lake, Downtown Yellowknife, NTPhoto spot

About This Attraction

Frame Lake Trail is Yellowknife's most beloved urban pathway, offering a peaceful escape without leaving the city. This 7-kilometer loop circles Frame Lake, providing stunning views of downtown, the Legislative Assembly, and the surrounding boreal forest. The trail is accessible year-round and serves as a gathering place for locals and visitors alike. In summer, joggers, dog walkers, and families share the paved path, while the adjacent waters attract canoeists and kayakers. Watch for wildlife—beavers, muskrats, and various waterfowl call the lake home. Winter transforms the trail into a cross-country skiing paradise. The groomed paths wind through snow-laden spruce trees, and the frozen lake becomes a shortcut for adventurous skiers. On cold, clear nights, the trail offers excellent aurora viewing right in the heart of the city. Multiple access points make it easy to join the trail from downtown, the Heritage Centre, or the hotel district. Interpretive signs along the way explain the local ecosystem and history. Benches and viewing platforms provide rest spots with picture-perfect views. Whether you have 30 minutes or half a day, Frame Lake Trail offers a quintessential Yellowknife experience—nature and city harmoniously intertwined.